httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXbJilJMgic&feature=youtu.be

So after two fruitless days on the River Wye (and another day drying myself off!), I needed to go and fulfill my fish cravings.

With only my rod, bag, net, rod rests, and of course a tin of meat to my name I headed to the River Arrow. I decided to fish a peg that I’d only fished once before, but that one time had produced a lot of bites, no fish but action nonetheless.The river was up, and had some colour on it, but with not much flow it looked almost perfect.

When I go on short roving sessions I only ever take one tin of meat. No pre-baiting, no loose feed going into the swim, just a singular hook bait.

My first cast was under a big overhanging tree and I was soon into a fish. But no sooner was it on, it was off…

As annoying as it is to lose a fish it’s also a sign that the fish are on the feed. So, unfazed, I rigged on another chunk of meat and plonked it back out under the cover of the tree.

And then, success! Two, maybe three minutes later, my rod bent round with a vengeance! I knew as soon as I struck that it was something a lot bigger than a Chub. The battle ensued up and down the swim and, of course, one last run when I thought the fish was ready until finally the fish slipped over the top of my net.

I knew immediately that it was a PB for me – 8lb 3oz of muscle. I went on to fish two more separate swims that day and had another two barbel, one of which was also just over 8lb.

Happy days.

 Speaking of whiskers, here’s one I made earlier:

Movember is a fantastic cause and it’s well worth taking a second to check it out.

If you’re not one for growing your own whiskers, why not aim to make a donation for every whiskers you catch this month?